Wrangell Sentinel -

Ira Merrill loving husband and father passed away on November 27, 2019 at the age of 83.

He was born in 1936 in Eureka, California.

Even from a young age he loved fishing, both commercial and sport, animals and outdoor adventure. His highly developed sense of adventure and love for wild places and fishing brought him to Alaska in 1969, where he almost immediately continued to commercial fish. In 1970 he married Lucille and they began many happy years of fishing and exploration on the Alaskan coast.

Ira will be remembered by all of us as an incredibly talented artist. It seemed like whatever he set his hand to he mastered it. Countless endeavors from oil paintings, ceramics, sculpture, violin making, growing any kind of plants and raising various animals, to his endless rock and gem "phase" he was contagiously enthusiastic. We always admired his constant learning, boldness...never afraid to try something new with an intensity and passion that inspired us all.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lena and Ira Merrill Sr. and his sisters Leona and Iris.

He is survived by his wife Lucille and step daughter Brenda Schwartz-Yeager (John Yeager) and his grandchildren Emily, Lauren, Michael, Connor and Brian.

For those of you who knew Ira, you know he would not want to have a big gathering and would rather give than receive. To honor his character in lieu of a funeral services or flowers, please consider a donation to St. Frances Animal Rescue of Wrangell.

Ira's ashes will be returned to the sea that he so loved.